The environment in which today's engineering graduates will find themselves working is evolving rapidly. Technical innovation is becoming ever more critical to retaining a competitive edge. This is true for individuals, for firms and for nations. Start-ups, as well as established companies, have significant international opportunities but also face more competition in a global economy. Seizing these opportunities and dealing with the associated challenges requires an understanding of the global context in which engineers work, as well as understanding multi-disciplinary approaches to technological innovation across cultures.

The College of Engineering has developed General Education Requirements designed to ensure that our students are ready to work effectively in the global economy, and become the innovators and leaders of tomorrow.

General Education Requirements

First-Year Writing

All undergraduate students must complete the First-Year Writing requirement — the Department of English does not accept any Advanced Placement exemptions. This requirement can be completed in two different ways: 

• Option 1: Enroll in one of two full-semester courses (9 units each)
  • 76-101 Interpretation and Argument (Students for whom English is a second language may need to take 76-100 Reading and Writing in an Academic Context first. The English department will contact those students.)
  • 76-102 Advanced First Year Writing: Special Topics (by invitation only)
• Option 2: Enroll in two of three half-semester “mini” courses* (4.5 units each)
  • 76-106 Writing about Literature, Art and Culture 
  • 76-107 Writing about Data 
  • 76-108 Writing about Public Problems 

*

Minis should be completed back-to-back within a single semester.

General Education Electives (3 total)

At least 27 units from any non-technical academic courses from the Dietrich College, College of Fine Arts, and the Tepper School of Business excluding those listed on the General Education Exclusions page. Courses from this list of non-technical courses outside of the Dietrich College or the College of Fine Arts may also be counted. A maximum of 18 units of these units may be fulfilled via AP/IB/Cambridge exam credit. 

For category course lists reference the CIT General Education website.

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General Education Categories

Students must complete each of the categories (descriptions of categories follow below). This is a 9-unit requirement. Any course taken on this list that is below 9 units must be combined with an additional course to total at least 9 units in order to complete this requirement. With the exception of Experiential Learning, all general education course requirements must be completed with a passing letter grade (D or higher).

Note: the units from one course cannot be split to count for two General Education categories (eg PPC and General Education Elective).

Innovation & Internationalization (I&I)

• 9 units from the I&I list of courses (which could be two 4.5 unit courses);

Peoples, Places, and Cultures (PPC)

• 9 units from the PPC list; (Students can receive exemption through an approved study abroad program. These students would have three General Education Electives to complete instead of two.)

Social Analysis and Decision Making (SDM)

• 9 units from the SDM list of courses (which could be two 4.5 unit courses)

Writing and Expression (W&E)

• 9 units from the W&E list of courses (in addition to 76-101)

Experiential Learning (EL)

• 6 EL points by participating in a variety of approved activities in the following timeframe:
  • 2 points sophomore fall semester (39-210)
  • 2 points sophomore spring semester (39-220)
  • 2 points junior fall semester (39-310)

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Category Descriptions

People, Places and Cultures (PPC)

PPC courses are designed to help you gain better understanding of the diversity of the world in which we live, and the way in which societal factors interact to shape that world.

Social Analysis and Decision Making (SDM)

SDM courses are focused on helping you to gain an understanding of different ways in which individuals and societies approach and make decisions.

Innovation and Internationalization (I&I)

I&I courses are intended to provide a broad perspective regarding the creation of pioneering ideas and their outcomes in a global context.

Experiential Learning (EL)

Being curious and constantly looking for inspiration are critical parts of lifelong learning. To be successful as an engineer and as a citizen, your education must not stop when you graduate from Carnegie Mellon. The EL requirement aims to encourage a habit of lifelong learning about innovation and the growing internationalization in engineering and, indeed of many other aspects of the modern world. The goal of this requirement is to help inspire the habits of being open to new ideas as successful, innovative engineers.

To do that, during both semesters of your sophomore year, and the first semester of your junior year, we require you to choose a few related activities that are not part of your formal course work. Examples could include:

• Attending approved seminars and then submitting a one page write up of your thoughts on what you heard;
• Holding an official leadership position (i.e., President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) in a Carnegie Mellon sponsored organization